Siem Reap travel guide to visiting the ancient Bakong temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia will highlight the most appealing feature of the first sandstone temple mountain in Angkor Archaeological Park. Bakong is a popular three-day temple tour that includes the Roluos Group of Temples. It is situated in the south of Angkor Wat. It served as the hub of Hariharalaya, the capital of early Khmer temple architecture.
Ancient Temple Facts
Date: 9th century (881)
King: Indravarman I, Yasovarman I
Religion: Hindu, Dedicated to Siva
Best Time to Visit: Morning
Length of Visit: 1 hours
Temple Pass: Required
Location
Bakong Temple is located 17 kilometers southeast of Angkor Thom. On the way to the floating village, you will pass through Bakong village and see how people live and go about their daily lives. The Khmer empire, known in Sanskrit as Hriharalya, was named after two Hindu gods. A tour can go there by private taxi or TukTuk. It is also possible to cycle.
History of Bakong Temple
Bakong was erected in the 9th century, in the year 881 A.D. This was the state temple, which is located in the center of the capital city, that was initially established by the first King of Angkor, Jayavarman II, the founder of the great kingly dynasties and the glorious civilization of Angkor. It is early Khmer temple architecture. Prasat Bakong was built by a different king, probably Jayavarman 3, and was remodeled by another two kings, Indravarman I and Yasovarman I, before it was abandoned when the last successor, King Yasovarman I, moved the city to the Angkor region.
Why Worth a visit Bakong?
Bakong is one of the tour temples with a mountain of sandstone constructed. It was a city temple before the city was relocated to Angkor Thom. You can explore in peace and quiet. You can climb up and enjoy the fresh air. It is one of four temples in roluos group, Preah Ko, Lolei , and small other temples.
Tours of prasat bakong
Bakong is the first official state mountain temple encircled by the first outer enclosing walls measuring 900 m by 700 m, with a man-made moat within the internal premises. This temple consists of a single tower that is considered the main shrine to Lord Siva’s Linga, named Srei Indresvara, and was consecrated in the year 881 A.D. That linga is housed in the main tower, on the topmost terrace of the five-tier bases. The single tower of Bakong represents Mount Meru, the home of Hindu gods, while the five-tier base represents the five realms of heaven known as “the internal premise.” This temple consists of a single tower that is considered the main shrine to Lord Siva’s Linga, named Srei Indresvara, and was consecrated in the year 881 A.D. That linga is mounted in the main tower, situating itself on the uppermost terrace of the five-tier bases. The single tower of the bakong represents Mount Meru, the home of Hindu gods, while the five-tier base represents the five realms of heaven known as “Dhevaraja, Naga, Garuda, Yasa, and Rasasak,” as they are depicted in Hindu mythology.
However, the temple is accessible from two directions: east and west.
The main temple’s structures include the central tower on top, staircases in four directions of cardinal points, and elephant statues adorning each of the four angles of the bases.
Restaurant Near prasat bakong
Stoeng Trorcheak is a restaurant near Bakong Temple. It is a very nice and clean restaurant that serves fast and delicious food. It is a very natural restaurant for fresh breezes to slip through the planks of the wood floors. It is also necessary to clean the restrooms- know more.
Private Angkor Wat Tour Guide
Hiring a private Angkor Wat tour guide is highly recommended since they can give you a thorough geography lesson about the temple complex and bring you there at the ideal time for flexibility and ease. You will undoubtedly become more aware of contemporary civilization or the culture of the Khmer Empire. Few people are aware of these incredible stories, and you won’t find them in travel manuals.
Angkor complex Travel Guide
- A private tour guide and driver are happy to pick up tourists at a hotel or airport; you just let them know the flight number or hotel name.
- Tours typically last 8 hours, but they can be shorter or longer depending on the schedule.
- You can choose between Lexus RX, Grand Starex H1, or Toyota Hiace for private transportation.
- We suggest you bring your camera charger so you can recharge inside the car.
- USD is used everywhere in the country, and we highly recommend using USD.
- It is highly recommended that you hold a visa or MasterCard so you can withdraw cash in USD from ATMs that are located almost everywhere in the city.
- Payment of tour fees will be required in cash in USD at the end of the tour only.
Final Thought
If you have the three-day temple tour, you must go to the Bakong Temple. It is a very old temple mountain made of sandstone.It is well worth a visit to enjoy the attraction mountain of the early Khmer temples.I would highly recommend starting with a private Angkor Wat tour guide for your ease and flexibility.
